A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jekyll Island vs. Salt Lake City for Attractions, Hiking, Families, and Food

Should you visit Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Jekyll Island and Salt Lake City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a secluded, natural, and relaxing island. It's also popular because of the museums, beaches, and hiking. See Jekyll Island travel costs.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a notable, religious, and architectural city. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and hiking. See Salt Lake City travel costs.

Jekyll Island and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good public transit
  • Home to Temple Square
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Salt Lake City. Although Jekyll Island and Salt Lake City are popular destinations, Salt Lake City has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salt Lake City is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Jekyll Island attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and hiking. Salt Lake City is more touristy than Jekyll Island and is known for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population. It is also well known for Temple Square. Jekyll Island is famous for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

How is Jekyll Island different from Salt Lake City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Salt Lake City and Jekyll Island. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salt Lake City. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.


Is the Food Better in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Salt Lake City is becoming an appealing option for foodies. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a decent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Salt Lake City. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City Better for Resorts?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Jekyll Island is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Jekyll Island as a resort destination, but it has a few places. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.


Is Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Jekyll Island is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Salt Lake City. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Jekyll Island is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City Better for Beaches?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Jekyll Island is a very popular place for the beach. However, Salt Lake City is not a beach destination.

Jekyll Island is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Salt Lake City is not a beach destination.

Is Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Jekyll Island is a very popular place for its hiking trails. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Jekyll Island. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Salt Lake City has hiking trails worth exploring. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Salt Lake City has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Jekyll Island is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Jekyll Island. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Salt Lake City. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

Is Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Both Jekyll Island and Salt Lake City are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Jekyll Island is a good island for couples to visit. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Salt Lake City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.


Is Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Salt Lake City has some public transit options. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Jekyll Island
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a decent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Salt Lake City is generally not a very walkable city. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable island. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Jekyll Island Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or Jekyll Island?

How long in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jekyll Island and Salt Lake City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Jekyll Island than in Salt Lake City. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Jekyll Island, and 2-3 days is enough time in Salt Lake City.

Families should spend more time in Jekyll Island than Salt Lake City. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Jekyll Island, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Salt Lake City than Jekyll Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Salt Lake City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salt Lake City than Jekyll Island if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Salt Lake City.


  • How many days in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City? Ideal Length of Stay
    Jekyll Island 2-4 
    Salt Lake City 2-3

One day in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City?

In Jekyll Island, you'll find museums. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the religious destination of Salt Lake City. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.


A weekend in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City?

Jekyll Island is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salt Lake City. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jekyll Island. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the religious destination of Salt Lake City. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the island of Jekyll Island. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Salt Lake City. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Salt Lake City or Jekyll Island?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Jekyll Island Prices
    USA Prices
    Salt Lake City Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Jekyll Island $189
    Salt Lake City $282

The average daily cost (per person) in Jekyll Island is $189, while the average daily cost in Salt Lake City is $282. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Jekyll Island and Salt Lake City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jekyll Island $88
    Salt Lake City $119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jekyll Island $176
    Salt Lake City $238
Compare Hotels in Jekyll Island and Salt Lake City

Looking for a hotel in Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Jekyll Island


Hotels in Salt Lake City


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Jekyll Island Hotel Prices and Salt Lake City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jekyll Island $41
    Salt Lake City $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salt Lake City

Also for Salt Lake City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
  • Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Park City UT - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $96
  • Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Park City - Arrival Private Transfer : $48
  • Private transfer: Hotels to SLC Airport: $46
  • Private Transfer: Hotels to SLC Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City : $131
  • Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Park City hotel or address: $286
  • Private Transfer from SLC to Salt Lake City : $131
  • Private Transfer from SLC to Park City UT : $286
  • Private Departure Transfer to Salt Lake City Airport SLC: $36
  • Park City Hotels to Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $48

Is it cheaper to fly into Jekyll Island or Salt Lake City?

Prices for flights to both Salt Lake City and Jekyll Island change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Jekyll Island $77
    Salt Lake City $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jekyll Island $10
    Salt Lake City $28

Tours and Activities in Salt Lake City

For Salt Lake City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4-Day Yellowstone&Mount Rushmore Tour from Salt Lake City: $1,348
  • 45 Minute Great Salt Lake Boat Tour: $39
  • 8-Day Tour: LA, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone & Las Vegas: $1,399
  • Antelope Island Wildlife Expedition Great Salt Lake Adventure: $99
  • Bonneville Salt Flats Adventure: $149
  • From 6-Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour: $3,884
  • From Bonneville Salt Flats Guided Tour: $149
  • From Private Goblin Valley State Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Yellowstone & Grand Teton 5-Day Tour: $1,368
  • From Salt Lake Private Experience to Bonneville Salt Flats: $179
  • Gourmet Dining Experience : $215
  • Grand Teton,Yellowstone National Park 3-Day Tour from SLC: $1,016

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jekyll Island $6.43
    Salt Lake City $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Salt Lake City

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salt Lake City:

  • Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery Tour: $20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jekyll Island and Salt Lake City, we can see that Salt Lake City is more expensive. And not only is Jekyll Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jekyll Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jekyll Island and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Salt Lake City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salt Lake City than you might in Jekyll Island.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jekyll Island Expensive? and Is Salt Lake City Expensive?.


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